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Denali: Reclaiming a Lost Heritage

Denali: Reclaiming a Lost Heritage

September 28, 2015945Views

denaliKnown as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America, Alaska’s Mt. McKinley will once again be known by its original name of Denali. The announcement came from President Obama last month, as he headed to the northernmost state to promote new plans to combat climate change.

The tallest peak in North America, the mountain was renamed in 1896 in honor of then presidential nominee William McKinley, and has been a source of contention among the Alaskan native people ever since. The mountain sits inside the six million acre Denali National Park.

Besides having the tallest peak on the continent (some would argue in the world, if one measures from the base to the peak), Denali has another unique boast: among the abundant wildlife to be found in the park, none are endangered or threatened. The primary reason for this conservation coup is that the park was declared a protected habitat before there were many people living anywhere near it. For hundreds of years, the only inhabitants were the Athabascan Indians, who were more conscious of the importance of preservation.

Additionally, the park is carefully monitored. Numerous studies are carried out every day within the boundaries of Denali in order to assess the environment and the numerous species that call Denali home.  Today, there are a number of experiments being conducted to see how pollution affects the animals there, as well as regular monitoring of each species.

denaliWhile this is an environmental win, there are some potential threats down the road. The American peregrine falcon has breeding grounds in Denali. Removed from the endangered species list in 1999, scientists continue to monitor this species for any signs of a declining population. Chemicals like DDT were to blame for thinning eggshells of the bird, resulting in unviable offspring. If these chemicals are not kept in check, the peregrine falcon could again be in danger.

Another, more imminent threat is an expanding human population, encroaching on the habitat of the trumpeter swan.  A decline in this largest of all North American birds would signal an unhealthy wetlands and could be a precursor to more environmental damages to come. For now, the swans and their Alaskan brethren are under the watchful eye of conservation experts.

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